President George Bush's Chief of staff, Andrew Card, phoned Cincinnati Mayor Charlie Luken Thursday afternoon to say that Mr. Bush is "concerned and is monitoring the situation.''

        The president offered any help. If needed.

        "I'm grateful the President is monitoring this,'' Mr. Luken said. "I'll take him up on it if we can find a way to use federal help right now.''

        The Associated Press reported that President Bush telephoned Attorney General John Ashcroft Thursday to discuss ways the federal government can "help calm and resolve the situation.''

        "The president understands the very strong emotions involved, and he joins Cincinnati and Ohio leaders in their appeal to the people of Cincinnati for calm and a nonviolent resolution to the current situation,'' White House press secretary Ari Fleischer said.

        Two senior community-relations officials from the Justice Department were sent to Cincinnati early on Wednesday to mediate talks between community leads and city officials struggling to restore order.

        Those Justice Department representatives have met with Mayor Charles Luken, the local NAACP president, a ministers' alliance and others, Mr. Fleischer said.

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Hardest hit areas (288k) | Violent week's timeline (320k)
Curfew restores calm
How curfew works
List of cancellations
Good Friday traditions disrupted
NAACP leader calls for justice
Petty traffic citations built up to fatal confrontation
Police 'fed up,' union chief says
Injured officer returns to job
Quiet streets best remedy for tired cops
Curfew shuts down nightlife
Mayor's decision draws criticism
Most grudgingly accept curfew
Curfew brings sounds of silence
Sports disrupted by curfew
Curfew doesn't affect Reds yet
Griffey 'understands' rioters' frustrations
Over-the-Rhine residents express dismay
Suburban reaction more disgust than alarm
Dangers add new fears for children
Merchants focus on reopening
Big businesses offer aid, jobs
RADEL: Teaching peace is essential
Religious leaders call for listening, change
Bush offers to help
Federal officials here over unrest
National media turns spotlight on Cincinnati
New hot line to report crime
Police move with the crowds
Prosecutor vows to get tough with rioters
Special grand jury to hear case
Thomas service moved to handle larger crowd